Weston Seconds’ promotion hopes were dented with a defeat against second-placed Taunton St Andrews.

Weston hosted second in the table Taunton St Andrews knowing that a win was needed to boost any chance of promotion this year.

St Andrews won the toss and batted first, scoring at a fast pace from the start. With Weston failing to gain any real control with the ball and also dropping some comfortable chances, St Andrews batsmen were never put under any real pressure, both Poole (62) and Horler (82) made Weston pay.

Despite improved bowling from Tahmid Ahmed (3-47), Matt Kearsey (2-32) and Matt Blamire (1-21), St Andrews were able to post 266.

Weston’s response started strongly with the boundary being found at ease, but when Matt Huxtable (22) and Jack Press (10) were both caught at point, the runs dried up.

Regular wickets fell with no-one able to build the big innings required to chase such a large total.

James Holt (41) showed some strong hitting to a short leg side boundary, but with partners running out at the other end, Weston were eventually bowled out for 161 and will now need to win all their remaining games to stand any chance of promotion.

Forte Financial man of the match was Tahmid Ahmed.

In the absence of a league game Weston 3rds made the journey to Broadway & Horton for a friendly and came away with a morale-boosting victory.

Batting first after winning the toss, Weston got off to a flying start as Max Brown brought up his 50 in just the ninth over. With Brown retiring to ensure everyone got a game, the good work was continued by Fred Bemand (37) and Jon Mayo (50 retired), as Weston worked their way to their highest total of the season - 246-7. Further runs came from Alex Leeks (35 not out) and Bayley Frise (12).

In reply, Weston mixed the bowling around and were always ahead of the game despite the best efforts of Cooke (62 not out) as the hosts ended 13 short on 233-9. George Bemand (5-0-27-2) and Leeks (8-1-27-5) were the pick of the bowlers.

Forte Financial man of the match went to Alex Leeks.

Weston 4th XI played Taunton St Andrews for the third time this season looking to finally get a win for against them.

Things started well with skipper Chris Pack winning the toss and electing to bowl. Unfortunately, Weston struggled to make any real inroads into the top order other than Georgia Tulip (8-2-29-2) and Rhys Crocker (8-0-29-1), while Terry Horler also picked up wicket (4-0-23-1) and a run out as Taunton scored 198-5 from their 40 overs.

After tea, things didn’t start well for Weston with one of the openers back in the changing rooms after just four balls. Josh Hussey (17) did well to punish the bad ball as he and the skipper looked to re-build the innings.

However, Pack was caught behind which was the start of mini collapse as three wickets fell within a few balls for just two runs. Jody Filer (35 not out), along with Horler (10) and Tom Bailey (35) accelerated the run rate, but Weston ended up well short on 155-9.

This week’s Forte Financial player of the match award goes to Jody Filer.